Improvement in metallic cartridge-cases



B. HoTcHKlss. Metallic Cartridge-Gases.

Patentd Jan. 5,1'8'75.

Wilma: sw

MM- mm ki" 5 wat: %L1 57.5. 'wm

-STAs BENJAMIN B. HOTUHKISS, OF NE'V YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC CARTRIDGE-CASES.

Specification forming partof Letters Patent No. 158,494, dated January 5, 1875 application filed February 23,' 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, B. B. HOTCHKISS, of New York city, in the State of New York, teinporarily residing in Paris, France, have inmeans. Thisrulreirtnrned in at one end, andto the turned-in portion I attach one or more strengthening-cups, serving at the saine time to strengthen the rear portion of thecartridge, and to serve as a gas-check. In 'what I esteem the most universally complete form of the invention I employ three such strengthen ing-cups,4 each dilering a little in depth from either of the others. I mount these, one on the outside ofthe tube, and two on the inside. I.Y secure the whole strength to a disk, which extends across the rear, having perforations, which do not coincide with certain perforations ii'i the strengthening-cups.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I lesteem the best form, and also two modifications.

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section through the entire cartridge-case. Fig. 2 isa section on the line S S,- as seen from the top, which will, in use, be the front of' the can tridge.

These figures show what I esteem the generally preferable construction; but Figs. 3 and 4 are corresponding views of one which is preferable for some reasons. In this form the hole in the center of thedisk coincides or is exactly in line with a corresponding hole in the center ot' the cups. The continuons hole thus formed through the entire rear of the' cartridge isl covered on the inner face by a separate valve. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of the rear portion of my cartridge, constructed ac- -duced to form the valve m.

stout rivets C. The action isA very nearly tlm/f cording to another modification. In this the one cup is raised and forced inward a good deal near the center, but adapted to be crushed .back by the force ot' the discharge, substantially like a'valve. Small ptrtorations therein allow the lire to enter freely. The disk is forced inward near the center, but t'o a less extent and over a smaller area. Cartridges principal form, shown'in Figs. l and 2.

Similar letters of reference Aindicate corresponding parts in both these figures. Y A is the main tube. the rear portion of' which is bent' inward.- B is an exterior strengthening-cup, applied as represented.' The exterior of the main body A is a little contracted for a length corresponding to the depth ofthe cup. Bl zare interior cups. C G, Ste., are stout rivets unitingthe several cups with. a plane disk, D, whichihas a diameter somewhat greater than the main body A. Large orifices b are formed in the several strengthening? cups. The disk D has a singlecentral oritice, d.

4 The gun (not represented) is understood to 'v be a breech-loader. It may be of various approved styles; but it is essential that the'vent shallbe opposite the center of the rear ofthe cartridge, or that there shall be a channel some way provided by which the tire i'rpni the friction-priming or other priming shall be c0ininunicated forcibly to that point. When the priming has exploded it acts through the hole d, and forces inward the central portion m ot' the cups B Bl B2, which are opposite thereto, and allows the'iire to llash lthrough the joint thus opened into the cartridge and ignite it.

. The large 'holes b not only provide an ample spaceforthe tire to communicate into the car tridge, but also weaken the metal of the cups, so that the center m of the cups can yield inward readily. When the powder within the cartridge ignites, thc superior pressure from within forces the central parts m of the cups backward, and causes them to again tightly close the hole d, forming an efficient gascheck.

In Figs. 3 and 4 a separate piece is infro- It is secured by 2 maaar.

same in each form. The details and proportions may be varied within wide limits. It is )nly essential that the resistance of the disk D to the explosion of the priming shall be considerably greater than that of the valve, and that a free space shall be allowed for the tire from the priming to enter the cartridge, while the valve oiiers a iirm resisting-surface to the backward motion of the gas when the cartridge explodes.

In` the form shown in Fig. 5 the raised central portion m of the` cup B allows a little space, which is always open for the re to communicate from the rear through the small holes b, into the interior of the cartridge. It 1s in this respect different from either of the other modifications. This form of the eartridge-case requires that the cavity in the rear of the disk shall be stopped by a cork or other suitable means, to prevent the escape of .powder airl the entrance of dampness in the transportation or handling of the cartridge.

In preparing to use this form'ot the cartridge-case the cork G must be removed, and its place may be occupied by a self-primer suitably introduced; or it may be left empty.

to receive the action of a friction-primer or analogousdischarging means. Whatever the source of the tire, the raised center m- -of the cap B is driven backward by the force ot' the discharge, when the interior of the cartridge is ignited, and tits tightly over the small hole d in the center of the disk D. It is so weak as to be readily crushed backward by the force of the main discharge, and performs Athe functions of a valve in covering tightly the hole d, and preventing any considerable back flow of gas.

The front ends4 of 'the several modifications of the cartridge-case may be closed, to retain the powder and exclude dampness, by any suitable means. In Figi a cover, E; is shown. Such cover may be of. very thin netal, or ot' a combustible material, as water-proof paper.

It is only important that it performs its functions without possessingany sufficient mass to involve risk of injury in firing fover the heads of troops. 1

The invention may be carried out with some success by using a less number of cups B B1, 815e., and by putting them all on the inside, or all onv the outside.

In Figs. 1 and 3 the turned-in portion of the main body A extends 'in but l'a little distance, and is not touched by the rivets G. YIn Fig. 5 it is shown as extending in farther, and re ceivin g the rivets. The latter is preferable when the material will bear that amount of distortion. To facilitate such form the cases A may be made of soft copper. In such case it may be preferable to draw them in the form of tubes rather than to form them by bending sheet metal.

I propose in another distinct application for4 patent to claim more broadly the riveted cups B B1, Snc. In this application I claim only in connection with the valves formed therein.

I claim as my invention- A metallic cartridge-case having 'a valve opening inward, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myvname in presence of two subscribing witnesses. v

B. B. HOTUHKISS.

Witnesses:

CH. F. Tamron, DAVID T. S. FULLER. 

